The Loxton News was a weekly newspaper published in Loxton, South Australia, and published continuously between April 1960 and April 2020.

History

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The earliest roots of what was to become The Loxton News began with the founding of the Loxton Clarion (1925–1928).[1] Its proprietor, Jack Irving, endeavoured to produce a publication reflecting the concerns of Loxton and surrounding districts. Its articles covered crops, care of livestock, vehicle maintenance, and local sport.[2]

Thirty years later, the Loxton Community Newsletter (June 1956–March 1960),[3] published by The Loxton District War Memorial Community Centre, began publication monthly as a separate (i.e. non-Irving) publication. In April 1960, this newspaper was incorporated into the newly formed Loxton News (first issued 28 April 1960), since Irving had come out of retirement to found a new newspaper published in Loxton by J.C. Irving & Co., Ltd.[4]

In 1964 it was sold to the Murray Pioneer,[2] with publishing later relocating from its East Terrace location to premises on Riverside Avenue in Berri.[5][6] Along with The Bunyip, The Murray Pioneer, and The River News, The Loxton News was subsequently owned by the Taylor Group of Newspapers and printed in Renmark.[7]

In April 2020, however, the Taylor Group ceased publishing The Loxton News. The final issue was published on 16 April 2020.[8] Local news stories of interest to the Loxton community are now published in the Murray Pioneer.[9]

Distribution

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The Loxton News was published weekly, on Wednesdays, and had a circulation of 2,400 copies as at April 2018.[10] The newspaper's distribution included: Barmera, Berri, Renmark, Waikerie, Moorook, Kingston-On-Murray, and Northern Mallee towns including Alawoona, Mindarie, Karoonda, Wanbi and Wunkar.[11] Like other Taylor Group publications, the newspaper was also available online.[12]

Awards

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During its run, The Loxton News won around 24 Country Press SA awards.[2] Of these awards, 15 were for the best newspaper in its circulation category (the first in 1963 and the last in 2010).[10] Other awards are for excellence in journalism, graphic design, advertising features and outstanding community involvement.[10]

Digitisation

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Australian National Library carries images and text versions of the newspaper from 1960 accessible using Trove, the on-line newspaper retrieval service.[13]

References

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  1. ^ "Loxton Clarion". www.samemory.sa.gov.au. Retrieved 2018-04-21.
  2. ^ a b c Laube, Anthony. "LibGuides: SA Newspapers: Riverland". guides.slsa.sa.gov.au. Retrieved 2018-04-21.
  3. ^ "Loxton community newsletter / The Loxton District War Memorial Community Centre Incorporated". Retrieved 2018-04-21.
  4. ^ The Loxton news [newspaper: microform]. Loxton, S. Aust: J.C. Irving & Co., Ltd. 1960.
  5. ^ "The Loxton News". Retrieved 2018-04-21.
  6. ^ "The Loxton News (1960-)". Retrieved 2018-04-21.
  7. ^ "The Loxton News - The Taylor Group of Newspapers". www.loxton-news.com.au. Retrieved 2018-04-21.
  8. ^ "The Loxton News". The Loxton News. 60 (39). 16 April 2020.
  9. ^ "The Loxton News - And just like that, it's all over. 😢 The Loxton News would like to thank the Loxton community for its ongoing support over the past 60 years! 🗞 Although we are sad to see our beloved paper leave us, the Loxton community can still read their local news through The Murray Pioneer from next week. 🤗 But for now, make sure to pick up the very last edition from our office on East Terrace. Thank you and goodbye. ❤️ The Loxton News 1960-2020 | Facebook". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2022-03-01.
  10. ^ a b c "Loxton". Retrieved 2018-04-21.
  11. ^ "Loxton News - The Media Workshop". The Media Workshop. 2015-07-07. Retrieved 2018-04-21.
  12. ^ "The Loxton News : April 18th 2018, Page 1". loxtonnews.realviewdigital.com. Retrieved 2018-04-21.
  13. ^ The Loxton news. [Loxton, S. Aust] : J.C. Irving & Co., Ltd. 1960.
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